Walter Riddell Carre of Cavers Carre was well-known and admired in his lifetime for his work, collecting and telling stories of the rich and fascinating lives and histories of men and women from the prominent families in the Borderland between Scotland and England. He died in 1874 before his popular lectures could be published.
James Tait, of the Kelso Chronicle, undertook the necessary editing and the works - reflecting as far as possible their original style and delivery - appeared in this edition in 1876.
Chapters on the Douglas Family, followed by the Scott Family; the Ker Family; the Elliott Family; and the House of Riddell come first.
Then there are sketches of individual Eminent Roxburgh and Selkirkshire Men in the Law, Church, Medicine and Politics as well as in Military and Literary life (where a few women feature too).
The handful of 'Peculiar Celebrities' who defy categorisation appear at the end of the book.
All who feature are of the Scottish Borders, but their fame and influence spread widely.